O2 has switched on its free Wi-Fi service in London's West End, just ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony.

The network is free to use as it is supported by advertisements that show up on the user's screen. It covers Parliament Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street and Regent Street.

O2's free Wi-Fi network in certain parts of London has gone live.

Back in January, O2 struck deals with Westminster City Council and Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, to roll out Wi-Fi hotspots on 'street furniture', such as street lamps.

If those networks see strong demand, the idea is to roll out free O2 Wi-Fi in other areas of London. The operator has designs on a national deployment.

According to The Telegraph, the areas in Westminster that went live on Wednesday will be closely followed by Covent Garden. O2 is striking advertising deals with local businesses to support the network, with the aim being to offer location-based deals to passers-by.